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The specific location of the barrier of Thul-Qarnayn is unknown

Question

Where is the barrier of Thul-Qarnayn? Does it still exist? Is it known to people?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The barrier of Thul-Qarnayn still exists and it will remain so until the Promise of Allaah The Almighty comes and Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj (Gog and Magog) come out after Allaah The Almighty Makes it (the barrier) go down to the ground. This will happen after the appearance of the Anti-Christ and the descent of Prophet ‘Eesa (Jesus)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that a hole had been opened in the barrier and he made a circle with his index finger and thumb. It was narrated in a Hadeeth that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Laa ilaaha illa Allaah (None has the right to be worshiped except Allaah)! Woe to the Arabs from the evil that has approached (them). Today a hole has been opened in the barrier of Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj like this, and he made a circle with his index finger and thumb.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

No one knows its exact location. However, it was said that it is beyond the borders of China. Some others viewed that it is in Georgia in the Caucus mountains next to Azerbaijan and Armenia. This may be proved by a narration that Ibn ‘Abbaas reported. Additionally, it was said that it is in the farthest place in the northern part of the earth. Some others said something other than these opinions.

Al-Uloosi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “There may be a great amount of water that separates us.” Actually, the words of Al-Uloosi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him can be reasonable. The location of the barrier may be flooded by the water of the seas as what happened with many cities that were destroyed by fire or sand dunes. Some of these cities were discovered and some others are still undiscovered such as the location of Iram of the pillars.

Allaah Knows best.

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